NCGA: Via Minnesota Corn, from National Corn Growers Association vice president of public policy Lesly Weber McNitt, QUOTE: “Some advocates in Washington view the current political environment only in terms of the challenges it presents or with concerns about the speed with which the administration is making changes. But as the new head of the Washington office for the National Corn Growers Association, my team and I will challenge ourselves to look for opportunities instead of handwringing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EbUoA3 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn Growers Association)
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
UNCERTAINTY: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Farmers are dealing with a lot of uncertainty. Southern Minnesota farmer Rochelle Krusemark says as questions swirl on ag policy, trade, and the weather, her approach is to not live in fear. ‘If I’ve learned anything in the 45 years I’ve farmed is that it’s a rollercoaster for markets, and don’t live in fear. Just have faith.’ The Trimont-area corn and soybean grower tells Brownfield Congress needs to pass a new farm bill.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4imOSIN
MORE: Via WJON-Radio, VERBATIM: “A handful of Democratic State Treasurers and Auditors held a news conference Wednesday morning to share their concerns about what impact President Donald Trump's tariffs will have on family farms and rural communities. Minnesota Auditor Julie Blaha says soybeans are one of the biggest issues to be concerned about right now in Minnesota.” BLAHA: “During these times of uncertainty, we may lose Chinese customers going to say Brazil instead of Minnesota. Even if Trump reverses course, you still may not get that customer back, it's hard to get that customer back once you've lost them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iiVgk4
POPE CTY: From Senator Amy Klobuchar via X, VERBATIM: “I toured the Rolling Forks Vineyards and met with Mayor Sherri Kazda to discuss the economy and tourism — including the need to support farmers and small businesses to create jobs and support rural economies.” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/42Alads
HOWARD LAKE: From MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “Appreciated opportunity to join @SenAmyKlobuchar @MNFarmersUnion @MNFarmBureau Presidents Wertish & Glessing today In Howard Lake to hear from farmers & groups on trade, farm bill, immigration & more issues.” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/43W0fUp
MORE: Via KRWC-Radio, VERBATIM: “Some 60 local farmers, business leaders and industry officials met with a panel at Munson Lakes Nutrition in Howard Lake to hear discussion on tariffs, the Farm Bill, and more. Among the panel members was Minnesota Secretary of Agriculture [Thom Petersen] who told KRWC Radio News that grass roots meetings such as these are crucial for keeping the heartland connected with the centers of power.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RlP2VS
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3VZAwp9
MEAT/POULTRY: Via news release from Senator Chuck Grassley, VERBATIM: “Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) in reintroducing the New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act. The bipartisan legislation would allow meat and poultry products inspected by state Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs to be sold across state lines. Currently, meat and poultry products inspected by state programs are limited to markets within the state, even though inspection at a state facility meets or exceeds federal inspection standards. Over half of all states – 29, in total – have their own inspection programs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42fmsLX
MORE: Via Brownfield, an interview with Senator Grassley about the legislation which is cosponsored by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN). LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lvIEsG
TAX CREDIT: Via KFGO-Radio, VERBATIM: “When Minnesota state lawmakers reconvene in St. Paul after the Easter holiday, the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation is going to push for some changes to the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program. MFBF Director of public policy Loren Dauer tells KFGO” DAUER: “You know, we see around about $7 million of requests for that program, and it’s currently capped at 4 million. We’d like to see that removed. And we’re also pushing to include individuals who farm as an LLC so that they’re not being prevented from having access to these resources.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44soWbf
PLANTING: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “It’s an early start to planting for a farmer in southwest Minnesota. Bryan Biegler of Lake Wilson says the weather has been cooperative.” BIEGLER: “Besides the wind, that seems to be awfully windy around here this month. But it’s been a nice spring, we finally got started planting (Monday). Probably one of the earliest starts we’ve had in quite some time, especially after the last couple of springs we’ve had.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ElTC3q
OLIVIA: Via No Till Farmer, VERBATIM: “Beck's, the largest family-owned retail seed company in the United States, is strengthening its commitment to farmers in the northern Corn Belt with the construction of a new 96,000-square-foot facility in Olivia, Minnesota. While the existing location will remain a home for the northern research and breeding program, this new facility will enhance Beck’s ability to provide farmers with industry-leading seed products, agronomic support, and Practical Farm Research (PFR) insights.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G7GY8P
From morning take…
AG GRANTS: via an MDA press release, VERBATIM: “Applications are now being accepted for two grant opportunities available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) aimed at helping value-added businesses and livestock product processors seeking to start-up, modernize, or expand their operations and increase their sales of Minnesota agricultural products. … The MDA anticipates awarding approximately $2 million between the two programs in 2025 using a competitive review process. The maximum award amount for each grant is $150,000, and the minimum is $1,000.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cxoElB
Sign up for more Fluence newsletters… https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
E15: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Supporters of year-round E15 are looking forward to more certainty this summer driving season. Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper says EPA is allowing several states to sell fuel blended with 15 percent ethanol between June and September. ‘We at least know that in seven states you’re going to see year-round E15 this summer, those states are preparing and ready for that.’ Those states include Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Gf3NY7
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
WATER: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “MDA staff presented at today's @MnPCA Ag-Urban Partnership Forum, bringing together multiple public, nonprofit, and community partners to address nitrogen in surface and private well water, and ways to reduce it.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4jjx2b0
POLLINATORS: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Last Saturday was ‘Bee Day’ for a lot of people. It wasn’t an amphibious landing as much as it was an airborne assault. It was the day a semi-load of queen bees from the south came to their new homes with Northland beekeepers in Carlton.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Rlqlsw
ROOTWORM: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Farmers are wondering how winter conditions impacted overwintering pests like corn rootworm. Iowa State University Extension agronomist Meaghan Anderson says she’s been asked about the insect a lot in recent weeks.” ANDERSON: “Though I don’t know that I’m going to make any big decisions, any management changes, based off that. But we definitely heard a lot this winter and even this spring about how mild it felt like the winter was.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3RnxdFM
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
’79 CHEVY: Via SupercarBlondie, VERBATIM: “This YouTuber found an abandoned 1979 Chevy C10 in the Minnesota woods on a farm with some other abandoned vehicles. The car had been sat for 30 years, completely abandoned and exposed to the elements, so the fact that he even took a chance on it said a lot about how interesting the Chevy was.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Gbacnb
Copyright © 2025 Fluence Media, All rights reserved.
As someone who subscribed, or as a member of the Minnesota AgriGrowth Council you are receiving this email.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427